Laredo flooding continues

Published 10:53 am, Friday, July 9, 2010

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A flooded intersection in Laredo.

A flooded intersection in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A man from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico examines the flooded Rio Grande on International Bridge I. People who needed to get to the interior of Mexico could use the reopened Colombia Solidarity Bridge instead, Laredo spokeswoman Xochitl Mora said. less

A man from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico examines the flooded Rio Grande on International Bridge I. People who needed to get to the interior of Mexico could use the reopened Colombia Solidarity Bridge instead, Laredo ... more

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Workers walk on the railroad bridge above the flooded Rio Grande in Laredo.

Workers walk on the railroad bridge above the flooded Rio Grande in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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With the Amistad Dam floodgates almost wide open since Tuesday, the mud-brown Rio Grande reached levels Thursday that hadn't been seen in 45 years in Laredo.

With the Amistad Dam floodgates almost wide open since Tuesday, the mud-brown Rio Grande reached levels Thursday that hadn't been seen in 45 years in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Tony Winterroth walks through floodwaters to his home in Laredo.

Tony Winterroth walks through floodwaters to his home in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Enrique Valdez, 30, washes mud from the entrance to his parents home in Laredo.

Enrique Valdez, 30, washes mud from the entrance to his parents home in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Floodwaters and debris on a fence around the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant.

Floodwaters and debris on a fence around the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Boys play in floodwaters after the Rio Grande flooded their neighborhood in Laredo.

Boys play in floodwaters after the Rio Grande flooded their neighborhood in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A flooded section of the Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

A flooded section of the Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Elizabeth Valdez, 13, (left) and her mom Rosalia Valdez access the damage caused by floodwaters to their home in Laredo.

Elizabeth Valdez, 13, (left) and her mom Rosalia Valdez access the damage caused by floodwaters to their home in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Alexis Valdez, 18, carries a statue of the Virgen de Guadalupe from his flooded home in Laredo.

Alexis Valdez, 18, carries a statue of the Virgen de Guadalupe from his flooded home in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Once the high water moved past Starr County, it was to be diverted by two smaller dams and captured by a vast flood control system in the Rio Grande Valley.

Once the high water moved past Starr County, it was to be diverted by two smaller dams and captured by a vast flood control system in the Rio Grande Valley.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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The flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

The flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Abraham Valdez, 23, opens a window in his flooded home.

Abraham Valdez, 23, opens a window in his flooded home.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Elizabeth Valdez, 13, looks at the damage caused by floodwaters in Laredo. Floors were still covered with water or caked with a thick crust of mud in neighborhoods like Los Martinez, on Laredo's west side

Elizabeth Valdez, 13, looks at the damage caused by floodwaters in Laredo. Floors were still covered with water or caked with a thick crust of mud in neighborhoods like Los Martinez, on Laredo's west side

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Floodwaters around the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant in Laredo.

Floodwaters around the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A sandal covered in mud in Laredo. Roberto Estrada, 50, described his house in the Dellwood area as ?mud all over the place.? His neighbor Gustavo Rendon said he saw dead cows and horses floating down the river at one point. less

A sandal covered in mud in Laredo. Roberto Estrada, 50, described his house in the Dellwood area as ?mud all over the place.? His neighbor Gustavo Rendon said he saw dead cows and horses floating down the river ... more

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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"The plant is located right next to an overflowing river, so any sewage that is going into such a large body of water will be diluted. To what extent? We just don't know at this time,? said Lisa Wheeler, spokeswoman for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. less

"The plant is located right next to an overflowing river, so any sewage that is going into such a large body of water will be diluted. To what extent? We just don't know at this time,? said Lisa Wheeler, ... more

A worker at the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant in Laredo. The stench was easily detectable from the river banks and the nearby Azteca barrio.

A worker at the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant in Laredo. The stench was easily detectable from the river banks and the nearby Azteca barrio.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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The Zacate Creek Wastewater Treatment plant in southwest Laredo was shut down by the flood, flushing raw sewage into the Rio Grande at an estimated half a million gallons per hour.

The Zacate Creek Wastewater Treatment plant in southwest Laredo was shut down by the flood, flushing raw sewage into the Rio Grande at an estimated half a million gallons per hour.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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As the rampaging Rio Grande rolled into Starr County to threaten cities there Friday, it receded steadily in Laredo to allow people to return to a sludgy swath of shattered neighborhoods.

As the rampaging Rio Grande rolled into Starr County to threaten cities there Friday, it receded steadily in Laredo to allow people to return to a sludgy swath of shattered neighborhoods.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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The American, Mexican, and Texas flags fly near International Bridge I in Laredo.

The American, Mexican, and Texas flags fly near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Water and sewage services to residents were not affected but repairs couldn't start until the water subsided, said Tomas Rodriguez, the city utilities director.

Water and sewage services to residents were not affected but repairs couldn't start until the water subsided, said Tomas Rodriguez, the city utilities director.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Floodwaters around the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant in Laredo.

Floodwaters around the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Enrique Valdez, 30, removes belongings from his parents in Laredo.

Enrique Valdez, 30, removes belongings from his parents in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A woman holds her nose while looking at the floodwaters around the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant in Laredo.

A woman holds her nose while looking at the floodwaters around the Zacate Creek Wasterwater Treatment plant in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Border Patrol boats in the flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Border Patrol boats in the flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Rosalia Valdez looks at damge caused by floodwaters in her home in Laredo.

Rosalia Valdez looks at damge caused by floodwaters in her home in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A truck is parked on a flooded street by the Rio Grande in Laredo.

A truck is parked on a flooded street by the Rio Grande in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A flooded intersection in Laredo.

A flooded intersection in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A Border Patrol boat passes the rear section of a tractor trailer floating in the flooded Rio Grande. Laredoans began planning ?next steps,? helping people bail out homes and businesses flooded knee-deep or higher. less

A Border Patrol boat passes the rear section of a tractor trailer floating in the flooded Rio Grande. Laredoans began planning ?next steps,? helping people bail out homes and businesses flooded knee-deep or ... more

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Floodwaters from the Rio Grande cover the streets near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Floodwaters from the Rio Grande cover the streets near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Juan Olmos, 35, walks through floodwaters he helps his brother-in-law clean his home in Laredo. Residents found clothes, furniture and keepsakes ruined, then opened back doors to discover their yards were still part of the Rio Grande. less

Juan Olmos, 35, walks through floodwaters he helps his brother-in-law clean his home in Laredo. Residents found clothes, furniture and keepsakes ruined, then opened back doors to discover their yards were ... more

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Javier Sanchez, 32, washes mud off his furniture outside his home.

Javier Sanchez, 32, washes mud off his furniture outside his home.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A Border Patrol boat in the flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo on Friday July 9, 2010.

A Border Patrol boat in the flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo on Friday July 9, 2010.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Flooded streets on the Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Flooded streets on the Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A Border Patrol boat in the flooded Rio Grande passes under a railroad bridge in Laredo.

A Border Patrol boat in the flooded Rio Grande passes under a railroad bridge in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Workers look at the flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Workers look at the flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A sign for a parking lot is covered with debris on the flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

A sign for a parking lot is covered with debris on the flooded Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A flooded parking lot on the Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

A flooded parking lot on the Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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A flooded parking lot on the Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

A flooded parking lot on the Rio Grande near International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Flood waters from the Rio Grande fill the area around International Bridge I in Laredo.

Flood waters from the Rio Grande fill the area around International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Workers from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico look at the flooded Rio Grande on International Bridge.

Workers from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico look at the flooded Rio Grande on International Bridge.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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Flood waters from the Rio Grande fill the area around International Bridge I in Laredo.

Flood waters from the Rio Grande fill the area around International Bridge I in Laredo.

Photo: eaornelas@express-news.net

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An opossum scurries from the flooded area near International Bridge I in Laredo.

An opossum scurries from the flooded area near International Bridge I in Laredo.